Disposable absorbent garment having colored facings and integral waistband

ABSTRACT

A garment comprises a laminate. The laminate comprises a first layer colored a first color, and a second layer colored a second color different than the first color. The laminate includes a folded flap in the waist region, thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. In one embodiment, the first layer and the second layer are coterminous at the waistband lower edge. In particular embodiments, the folded flap is an outwardly folded flap, and the first layer is an inner layer and the second layer is an outer layer, and the outwardly visible waistband is colored the first color. The distinction between the first color and second color in conjunction with the fold creates a visible waistband effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pant-like disposable absorbent garments are in common use in today'ssociety. For example, disposable absorbent underwear for incontinenceand enuresis conditions, disposable training pants, and disposablemenstrual panties are common in the marketplace. It is desirable to makesuch products as much like normal cloth underwear as possible. Forexample, wearers of incontinence and enuresis garments generally wish toconceal the fact that they are wearing such products, and thereforedesire the garments to resemble normal cloth underwear as closely aspossible. In another example, children wearing training pants take pridein the fact that they are no longer wearing diapers, and providing themwith a disposable training pant product that closely resembles realunderwear supports this process. It is also important that such garmentsprovide a snug and secure fit, both to provide comfort to the wearer andto minimize leakage of bodily waste out of the absorbent garment.

For example, it is common for many products to include waistbands or legbands, often elasticized, to provide improved fit, leakage management,and underwear-like aesthetics. In one conventional approach, the waistedge of a disposable absorbent garment is folded over. However, in suchconventional products, the folded edge region is the same color as theremainder of the waist region; as a result, the folded waistband isgenerally not visible to a viewer, because the folded waistband “blendsin” with the color of the underlying material. In another approach, awaistband graphic is printed onto the garment in the vicinity of thewaist opening to resemble a separately attached waistband. However, suchan approach can introduce undesirably process complexity, equipmentcost, and ink expense. In still another conventional approach, aseparate waistband material is provided and attached to the garment.While this approach can provide a more garment-like look in manyinstances, it introduces additional process complexity and expense, andintroduces additional cost associated with raw material procurement andinventory.

Therefore, there remains a need for pant-like disposable garments thatbetter resemble normal cloth underwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to aforementioned need, an improved disposable absorbentgarment having an integral waistband has been invented.

In one embodiment, the garment comprises a laminate. The laminatecomprises a first layer colored a first color, and a second layercolored a second color different than the first color. The laminateincludes a folded flap in the waist region, thereby defining anintegral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. Thefirst layer and the second layer are coterminous at the waistband loweredge.

In another embodiment, the garment defines a longitudinal direction anda transverse direction, and includes a front waist panel, a back waistpanel, and a crotch panel interconnecting the front waist panel and theback waist panel. The front waist panel is attached to the back waistpanel along a pair of transversely opposed side seams to define a waistopening and two leg openings. The front waist panel and the back waistpanel each comprise a laminate. The laminate comprises an inner layercolored a first color, and an outer layer colored a second colordifferent than the first color. The laminate includes an outwardlyfolded flap proximate the waist opening, thereby defining an integral,outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. The innerlayer and the outer layer are coterminous at the waistband lower edge.The outwardly visible waistband is colored the first color.

In another embodiment, the garment defines a longitudinal direction anda transverse direction, and includes a front waist panel, a back waistpanel, and a crotch panel interconnecting the front waist panel and theback waist panel. The front waist panel is attached to the back waistpanel along a pair of transversely opposed side seams to define a waistopening and two leg openings. The front waist panel and the back waistpanel each comprise a laminate. The laminate comprises an inner layercolored a first color, and an outer layer colored a second colordifferent than the first color. The laminate is folded upon itselfproximate the waist opening, thereby defining an integral, outwardlyvisible waistband having a waistband lower edge. The inner layer and theouter layer are coterminous at the waistband lower edge. The outwardlyvisible waistband is colored the first color.

In still another embodiment, the garment defines a longitudinaldirection and a transverse direction, and comprises a front waist panel,a back waist panel, and a crotch panel interconnecting the front waistpanel and the back waist panel. The front waist panel is attached to theback waist panel along a pair of transversely opposed side seams todefine a waist opening and two leg openings. The front waist panel andthe back waist panel each comprise a laminate. Each laminate comprisesfirst, inner layer colored a first color, and a second, outer layercolored a second color different than the first color. The second layerdefines an outer surface and an inner surface. The first layer includesan outwardly folded flap proximate the waist opening so as to define anintegral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. Theoutwardly visible waistband is colored the first color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 representatively illustrates a front perspective view of adisposable absorbent garment incorporating principles of the garment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the garment of FIG. 1, shown in a laid-flatcondition, prior to the joining of the front and back waist regions, andshowing the surface of the article that faces away from the wearer whenthe article is worn.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 3 as viewedalong line 3A-3A.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel of oneembodiment of the garment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel of anotherembodiment of the garment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel of yetanother embodiment of the garment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel of stillanother embodiment of the garment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a waist panel of stillanother embodiment of the garment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

“Attach” and its derivatives refer to the joining, adhering, connecting,bonding, sewing together, or the like, of two elements. Two elementswill be considered to be attached together when they are integral withone another or attached directly to one another or indirectly to oneanother, such as when each is directly attached to intermediateelements. “Attach” and its derivatives include permanent, releasable, orrefastenable attachment. In addition, the attachment can be completedeither during the manufacturing process or by the end user.

“Bond” and its derivatives refer to the joining, adhering, connecting,attaching, sewing together, or the like, of two elements. Two elementswill be considered to be bonded together when they are bonded directlyto one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each isdirectly bonded to intermediate elements. “Bond” and its derivativesinclude permanent, releasable, or refastenable bonding.

A description of exemplary embodiments of the garment of the presentinvention shall now be presented. Examples of the pant-like disposableabsorbent garment are adult incontinence absorbent underwear, youthabsorbent enuresis pants, children's absorbent training pants, absorbentmenstrual panties, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the invention in particular embodiments isdirected to a pant-like disposable absorbent garment 10 that defines alongitudinal direction 12 and a transverse direction 14. The garment 10includes a front waist panel 16, a back waist panel 18, and a crotchpanel 20 interconnecting the front waist panel 16 and the back waistpanel 18. The front waist panel 16, the back waist panel 18, and thecrotch panel 20 can be separate, distinct panels that are attached toeach other. Alternatively, the front waist panel 16. the back waistpanel 18, and the crotch panel 20 can be integral with each other. Thefront waist panel 16 is attached to the back waist panel 18 along a pairof transversely opposed side seams 22 to define a waist opening 24 andtwo leg openings 26. The side seams 22 can be refastenable ornon-refastenable.

The front waist panel 16 is formed from a laminate 30, and the backwaist panel 18 is formed from a laminate 32. The laminate 30 of thefront waist panel 16 and the laminate 32 of the back waist panel 18 eachinclude a first layer 34 colored a first color 35. Each laminate 30, 32further includes a second layer 36 colored a second color 37 differentthan the first color. As used herein, “colored” means having aparticular color or pattern over substantially the entire area of thelayer, such as, for example, by virtue of being dyed, pigmented,printed, or the like. Examples of “colored” include but are not limitedto: being dyed beige; being dyed gray; being printed with stripes; notbeing dyed or printed but instead being naturally and inherently white,gray, or another color; and the like. Preferably, the first layer 34 ispredominantly the inner, bodyside layer, and the second layer 36 ispredominantly the outer, non-bodyside layer, though in particularembodiments this could be reversed. In particular embodiments, the firstcolor 35 is not white, and the second color 37 is white. In otherembodiments, the first color 35 is white, and the second color 37 is notwhite. In still other embodiments, both the first color 35 and thesecond color 37 are not white.

At least one of the laminate of the front waist panel 16 and thelaminate of the back waist panel 18, and preferably both laminates,includes a folded flap 40 proximate the waist opening 24. The foldedflap 40 defines an integral, outwardly visible waistband 42. Inparticular embodiments, the folded flap 40 is an outwardly folded flap40. In particular embodiments, the laminate 30, 32 is folded upon itselfproximate the waist opening 24. thereby defining an integral, outwardlyvisible waistband 42. “Outwardly folded” means folded in a directionaway from the wearer of the garment. In other embodiments, the foldedflap 40 is an inwardly folded flap. “Inwardly folded” means folded in adirection toward the wearer of the garment. “Outwardly visible” meansvisible from the non-bodyside surface of the garment when the garment isdonned.

The waistband 42 defines a waistband lower edge 44. In particularembodiments, such as those representatively illustrated in FIGS. 4-6,the inner layer 34 and the outer layer 36 are coterminous at thewaistband lower edge 44. The outwardly visible waistband 42 is coloredthe first color 35. In this manner, in particular embodiments, a moregarment-like appearance can be achieved in disposable absorbent garmentswith reduced complexity and cost.

In particular embodiments, such as that representatively illustrated inFIG. 5, one or more elastic strands or strips 46 are sandwiched betweenthe flap 40 and the remainder of the laminate 30 in the front waistpanel 16. Additionally or alternatively, one or more elastic strands 46are sandwiched between the flap 40 and the remainder of the laminate 32in the back waist panel 18. Desirably, the elastic strands 46 impartretractive forces to the laminate 30/32 to create a “gathered”waistband.

In particular embodiments, both the first layer 34 and the second layer36 comprise nonwoven polyolefin-based material, and each laminate 30, 32comprises an elastomeric film layer 50 sandwiched between the firstlayer 34 and the second layer 36. In such embodiments, it is preferablethat the elastomeric film layer 50 be coterminous with both the firstlayer 34 and the second layer 36 around the entire periphery of thelaminate 30, 32. The elastomeric film layer 50 can itself be clear,translucent, or opaque, and can be colored white or can be colored anon-white color.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8. in alternative embodiments, the laminate ofthe 30 of the front waist panel 16 and/or the laminate 32 of the backwaist panel 18 include a first layer 34 colored a first color 35, andfurther include a second layer 36 colored a second color 37 differentthan the first color 35. The second layer 36 defines an outer surface 38and an inner surface 39. The outer surface 38 faces away from the centerof the laminate sandwich, while the inner surface 39 faces toward thecenter of the laminate sandwich The first layer 34 includes a foldedflap 40 proximate the waist opening 24 so as to define an integral,outwardly visible waistband 42 having a waistband lower edge 44. Inparticular embodiments, the flap 40 is bonded to the outer surface 38 ofthe second layer 36 so as to define an integral, outwardly visiblewaistband 42 having a waistband lower edge 44.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, the folded flap 40 is anoutwardly folded flap. The first layer 34 is an inner, bodyside layer,and the second layer 36 is an outer, non-bodyside layer, and theoutwardly visible waistband 42 is colored the first color 35. In such anembodiment, the outwardly visible waistband 42 is colored the firstcolor 35 because the first layer 34 is colored the first color and isoutwardly folded to cover the second layer 36 proximate the waistopening 24.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the folded flap 40 is an inwardlyfolded flap. The first layer 34 is an outer, non-bodyside layer coloreda first color 35, and the second layer 36 is an inner, bodyside layercolored a second color 37, and the outwardly visible waistband 42 iscolored the first color 35. In such an embodiment, although the entireouter layer 34 is colored the same first color, the integral waistband42 is nonetheless outwardly visible, because in such an embodiment thefirst (outer) layer 34 is translucent. When viewed from the outside(that is, from the non-bodyside surface of the garment when the garmentis donned), the translucent outer layer 34 is underlain by the foldedflap 40 (which is colored the first color 35) proximate the waistopening. In contrast, when viewed from the outside, the translucentouter layer 34 is underlain by the second (inner) layer 36 (which iscolored the second color 37). As a result, though the folded flap 40 ispositioned on the inside (that is, the bodyside) of the garment, anoutwardly visible, integral waistband 42 can be created due to thecontrast created by the differently colored underlying materials. Incertain embodiments, in which the flap 40 contacts or overlaps thesecond (inner) layer 36, the waistband lower edge 44 is outwardlyvisible through the translucent first (outer) layer 34. Thisconfiguration is representatively illustrated in FIG. 8.

In particular embodiments, such as that representatively illustrated inFIG. 7, one or more elastic strands or strips 46 are sandwiched betweenthe flap 40 and the remainder of the laminate 30 in the front waistpanel 16. Additionally or alternatively, one or more elastic strands 46are sandwiched between the flap 40 and the remainder of the laminate 32in the back waist panel 18. In particular embodiments, at least oneelastic strand 46 is sandwiched between the flap 40 and the second layer36 in the front waist panel, and at least one elastic strand 46 issandwiched between the flap 40 and the second layer 36 in the back waistpanel. Desirably, the elastic strands 46 impart retractive forces to thelaminate 30/32 to create a “gathered” waistband. In an alternativeembodiment (not shown), one or more elastic strands 46 are sandwichedwithin the fold 40 of the first layer 34 without overlapping orcontacting the second layer 36. In particular embodiments, as isrepresentatively illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, elastomeric materials,such as elastomeric strands 47, can be sandwiched between the firstlayer 34 and the second layer 36, thereby constituting a part of thelaminate 30, 32.

In particular embodiments, the first color 35 is not white, and thesecond color 37 is white. In other embodiments, the opposite is true. Instill other embodiments, both the first and second colors 35, 37 are notwhite.

It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, givenfor purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting thescope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the artwill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in theexemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalentsthereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may beconceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments,particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of aparticular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean thatsuch an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.

1. A disposable absorbent garment comprising a laminate, the laminatecomprising: a first layer colored a first color; a second layer coloreda second color different than the first color; wherein the laminateincludes a folded flap in the waist region, thereby defining anintegral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge, thefirst layer and the second layer being coterminous at the waistbandlower edge.
 2. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 1, wherein thefolded flap is an outwardly folded flap, wherein the first layer is aninner layer, wherein the second layer is an outer layer, and wherein theoutwardly visible waistband is colored the first color.
 3. Thedisposable absorbent garment of claim 1, wherein the folded flap is aninwardly folded flap, wherein the first layer is an outer layer, andwherein the second layer is an inner layer.
 4. The disposable absorbentgarment of claim 1, wherein at least one elastic thread is sandwichedbetween the flap and the remainder of the laminate.
 5. A pant-likedisposable absorbent garment defining a longitudinal direction and atransverse direction, the garment comprising a front waist panel, a backwaist panel, and a crotch panel interconnecting the front waist paneland the back waist panel, the front waist panel being attached to theback waist panel along a pair of transversely opposed side seams todefine a waist opening and two leg openings, the front waist panel andthe back waist panel each comprising a laminate, each laminatecomprising: an inner layer colored a first color; an outer layer coloreda second color different than the first color; wherein the laminateincludes an outwardly folded flap proximate the waist opening, therebydefining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistbandlower edge, the inner layer and the outer layer being coterminous at thewaistband lower edge, the outwardly visible waistband colored the firstcolor.
 6. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 5, wherein the firstcolor is not white, and the second color is white.
 7. The disposableabsorbent garment of claim 5, wherein at least one elastic strand issandwiched between the flap and the remainder of the laminate in thefront waist panel, and wherein at least one elastic strand is sandwichedbetween the flap and the remainder of the laminate in the back waistpanel.
 8. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 5, wherein both theinner layer and the outer layer comprise nonwoven polyolefin-basedmaterial, and wherein each laminate comprises an elastomeric film layersandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer, the elastomericfilm layer being coterminous with both the inner layer and the outerlayer around a periphery of the laminate.
 9. The disposable absorbentgarment of claim 8, wherein the elastomeric film layer is colored anon-white color.
 10. A pant-like disposable absorbent garment defining alongitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the garmentcomprising a front waist panel, a back waist panel, and a crotch panelinterconnecting the front waist panel and the back waist panel, thefront waist panel being attached to the back waist panel along a pair oftransversely opposed side seams to define a waist opening and two legopenings, the front waist panel and the back waist panel each comprisinga laminate, each laminate comprising: an inner layer colored a firstcolor; an outer layer colored a second color different than the firstcolor; wherein the laminate is folded upon itself proximate the waistopening, thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistbandhaving a waistband lower edge, the inner layer and the outer layer beingcoterminous at the waistband lower edge, the outwardly visible waistbandcolored the first color.
 11. The disposable absorbent garment of claim10, wherein the first color is not white, and the second color is white.12. The disposable absorbent garment of claim 10, wherein at least oneelastic strand is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder of thelaminate in the front waist panel, and wherein at least one elasticstrand is sandwiched between the flap and the remainder of the laminatein the back waist panel.
 13. The disposable absorbent garment of claim10, wherein both the inner layer and the outer layer comprise nonwovenpolyolefin-based material, and wherein each laminate comprises anelastomeric film layer sandwiched between the inner layer and the outerlayer, the elastomeric film layer being coterminous with both the innerlayer and the outer layer around a periphery of the laminate.
 14. Thedisposable absorbent garment of claim 13, wherein the elastomeric filmlayer is colored a non-white color.
 15. A pant-like disposable absorbentgarment defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction,the garment comprising a front waist panel, a back waist panel, and acrotch panel interconnecting the front waist panel and the back waistpanel, the front waist panel being attached to the back waist panelalong a pair of transversely opposed side seams to define a waistopening and two leg openings, the front waist panel and the back waistpanel each comprising a laminate, each laminate comprising: a first,inner layer colored a first color; a second, outer layer colored asecond color different than the first color, the second layer definingan outer surface and an inner surface; wherein the first layer includesan outwardly folded flap proximate the waist opening so as to define anintegral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge,wherein the outwardly visible waistband is colored the first color. 16.The disposable absorbent garment of claim 15, wherein said flap isbonded to the outer surface of the second layer.
 17. The disposableabsorbent garment of claim 15, wherein at least one elastic thread issandwiched between the flap and the remainder of the laminate.
 18. Thedisposable absorbent garment of claim 15, wherein the first color is notwhite, and the second color is white.
 19. The disposable absorbentgarment of claim 15, wherein at least one elastic strand is sandwichedbetween the flap and the second layer in the front waist panel, andwherein at least one elastic strand is sandwiched between the flap andthe second layer in the back waist panel.